Kelly Clarkson, after pouring her emotions into her latest album, "Chemistry," post her bitter divorce, finds herself grappling with the disheartening reality of its underwhelming sales. With a modest 53,657 copies sold, Clarkson's disappointment is tangible, reports a source close to the singer.
The failure of the album, which is deeply personal to the 41-year-old 'American Idol' alumnus, comes as a significant blow. "The fact that her divorce-inspired album is not doing well is almost as heartbreaking as the end of her marriage," confides an insider. Clarkson's disillusionment is particularly acute, given her extensive promotional campaign preceding the album's release.
Despite the success of her talk show, Clarkson's primary identity and passion remain rooted in music. "Kelly, first and foremost, identifies herself as a singer. If forced to choose between her television and music careers, she would opt for the latter without hesitation!" the source asserts.
'Chemistry,' a product of Clarkson's painful 2021 separation from 46-year-old Brandon Blackstock, with whom she shares two children, stands as her most personal work to date. According to a close friend of the star, "Kelly has laid bare her emotions in a raw and candid manner. The realization that the album has not resonated with listeners is a harsh blow.
Critics believe that Clarkson's decision to eschew an album of cover songs from her television show, which many had advocated, could have contributed to 'Chemistry's' lukewarm reception. "Everyone was encouraging her to release an album of cover songs from her TV show, but she stood her ground. In hindsight, she should have heeded their advice!" laments the friend.
Kelly Clarkson Balances Career and Motherhood: No More Tours, Talk Show Moves to NYC
Kelly Clarkson, the Grammy-winning singer and talk show host, recently appeared on the Today Show to discuss her new album, "Chemistry," and her decision to move her talk show from Los Angeles to New York City. The singer also addressed the question of whether she plans to tour more in the future, a topic that has been a point of interest for her fans.
Last month, Clarkson sat down with Carson Daly and Hoda Kotb following the release of her highly anticipated tenth studio album. The singer, who has embarked on eight headlining tours throughout her career, addressed the question of whether she plans to tour more in the future. "I do actually love touring, going to different places and being on stage. It's a different life, right? But it is incredibly hard to do that if you're trying to be a very present parent, plus a talk show from 9 to 5," she said.
Clarkson, a mother of two, has been balancing her career and motherhood since her divorce from producer and executive Brandon Blackstock in 2021. She acknowledged the desire of her fans for more tours but emphasized her commitment to being a present parent and her responsibilities as a talk show host. "It's just a lot so if I weren't doing the talk show I would [tour more], but it's just that I'm on a new path," she said.
The singer also opened up about her new album, "Chemistry," which she described as a "very intense record" and a "very personal" LP. The album, which was released on June 23, 2023, features songs that reflect on her tumultuous divorce and split from Blackstock. "It's very intense going through that kind of loss, it's grief," she said about her musical creation process.
In addition to her music career, Clarkson hosts the Emmy-winning "Kelly Clarkson Show," which is known for its intimate conversations with celebrity guests and epic 'Kellyoke' covers and performances. The show, which has won 13 Daytime Emmys, including three for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for Clarkson, is set to relocate to NBC Studios in New York City this fall. The move was inspired by Clarkson's desire to be closer to her family on the East Coast.
The Kelly Clarkson Show, which debuted in 2019, was renewed through 2025 back in November 2022. The show will continue to film with a live studio audience in its new location. Despite the changes in her life and career, Clarkson remains committed to her music, her show, and most importantly, her role as a mother.